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Q: You must be disappointed that you are leaving De Nobili. Don't you feel that staying back a little longer would have helped the institution?
A: We, Jesuits, leave such things in the hands of our superiors. It is like an army, where the commander's orders are obeyed without questions. I feel privileged that I was here at this point of history and I was able to contribute to this great institution. Serving De Nobili was a pleasure and a honour. I consider it an opportunities provided by God.
Q: You were instrumental in making Loyola Alumni Association Jamshedpur as a model Association. Why could you not do the same miracle here at DNS?
A : I would rather not answer that question. All I would like to say is that I have gone more than half way in trying to make the Dhanbad Alumni Association workable. The Golden Jubilee "Home Coming" was a God given opportunity to unite the Nobilians. It slipped away. I admire Kolkata Nobilians who are going great guns. I hope and Pray that the "better sense" will prevail among the Nobilians. Let "bygones be bygones" and let us start afresh. It is NEVER too LATE to begin again... I am confident that De Nobili Alumni Association will emulate Loyola and other successful Alumni Associations like St Xavier's Kolkata, Loyola Chennai, and St. Joseph's Bangalore, to name a few. Yes, this probably will remain as one of the painful experiences of DNS.
Q: What do you think is the problem in De Nobili today? Sub-standard teachers or under-achieving students?
A: Little bit of both. Some years back, De Nobili was not as accessible to everyone as it is today. The service "MANTRA" of Jesuit Schools is to cater children from ALL social strata. If we run the school with a bunch of the selected top few, we would also have
scripted hundred percent success stories. The poor and the marginalized also have a right for good education. Yes, there a few administrative lapses which need to be introspected. I am happy that the school is progressing in the right direction. The new incumbent
Fr. George Fernandes has the needed combination to take De Nobili into the 21st Century.
Q: Did you receive full support from the staff and the students during your stint as De Nobili's Principal?
A: Yes I received full support from the staff and the students. I am grateful to all of them. The faculty and co-workers are like pillars of the building. They make De Nobili what it is today.
Q: Please define yourself in a few words.
A : In character, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.
Q: What made you join the Jesuits?
A: I was confident that I would do very well in the world, and would have been successful in the chosen career. But I strongly felt that God was calling me to serve others by becoming a Priest. My greatest joy is to be a Jesuit Priest.
Q: What if, you become the Provincial? Would you like to change something?
A: Ha, Ha, Ha... That a very pointed question. Society of Jesus has a constitution and has its own way of proceedings regarding such matters. Positions do not matter. Service to humanity is all that matters.
Q: Nowadays, teenagers are pretty distracted. Be it the advent of mobile phones or internet or TV. What were the distractions when you were growing up?
A: We also had distractions. Yes, we were not exposed to so much bombardment of stimuli especially from the Mass Media as you have today. Present day education is highly competitive and stressful. Progress is here to stay. We cannot swim against the
tide. Modern gizmo's can be harmful to kids if they are not used appropriately. The School education should guide the children regarding "Media Education".
Q: In a recent poll, young Nobilians said that what Dr. APJ.Abdul Kalam is to India, Fr. Pius Fernandes is to De Nobili. Any comments?
A: No comments as this is not a fair comparison. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is a monumental figure. I am not even a pale shadow of him.
Q: The meaning of music has changed over the years. What is your take on this topic?
A : Honestly, I do not like the present day music. I love soft music of good old times. I am mesmerized by Lata Mangeshkar's melodious voice, which soothes my ruffled feathers.